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Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab released "Tracking the Sun II: The Installed Cost of Photovoltaics in the U.S. from 1998–2008." The new report found that the average cost of going solar in the U.S. declined by more than 30 percent from 1998 to 2008, a trend that can be largely attributed to the success of market-building policies at the state and local level. Findings also show that, after a three-year plateau, costs decreased by 3.6 percent from 2007 to 2008, marking a pivotal year for the American solar industry.

A new Harris Poll is bad news for the White House. Support and opposition for the president’s "proposals for health care reform" are now tied 45% to 45%. A month ago, a modest 49% to 41% plurality supported them.

In the face of daunting market challenges for small business banking customers, banks have an opportunity to differentiate themselves - and could potentially increase revenue by 20 percent - by delivering a more satisfying experience, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Small Business Banking Satisfaction Study(SM). In particular, effective relationship management is critical in raising and maintaining high levels of satisfaction.

For the first time in more than a year, more Americans are feeling confident about their financial security. The COUNTRY Financial Security Index(r) jumped 3.6 points in October, marking the largest single shift in sentiment since the measure began in February 2007.

The Producer Price Index for Finished Goods declined 0.6 percent in September, seasonally adjusted, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported. This decrease followed a 1.7-percent rise in August and a 0.9-percent decline in July. In September, at the earlier stages of processing, prices received by manufacturers of intermediate goods moved up 0.2 percent and the crude goods index fell 2.1 percent. On an unadjusted basis, from September 2008 to September 2009, prices for finished goods fell 4.8 percent, the tenth consecutive month of year-over-year declines.

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index™ (LEI) for Germany increased 1.3 percent and The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index™ (CEI) decreased 0.2 percent in August.

In the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production decreased by 0.4% in the euro area (EA16) and by 0.5% in the EU27 in August 2009, compared with the previous month. In July, production fell by 1.4% and 0.5% respectively.

A new report from Allianz Global Investors AG, one of the world’s largest asset management companies, provides insight into the effects of the recent financial crisis on U.S. wealth and the transition process that the U.S. retirement landscape is undergoing. The study, "Retirement at Risk: Challenges for baby boomers approaching retirement," examines the retirement preparedness of baby boomers who have seen their assets deteriorate as they approach retirement. The study also highlights the impact that retiring baby boomers – the largest population segment in American history – will have on the financial services industry.

The weekly average rate borrowers were quoted on Zillow Mortgage Marketplace for 30-year fixed mortgages increased two basis points last week to 4.97 percent, up from 4.95 percent the week prior, according to the Zillow Mortgage Rate Monitor, compiled by leading real estate Web site Zillow.com®. Rates for 15-year fixed mortgages rose one basis point to 4.38 percent from 4.37 percent, and 5-1 adjustable rate mortgages rose four basis points to 3.87 percent, up from 3.83 the week prior.

Trust in America's financial system continues to edge upward according to the latest quarterly findings in the Chicago Booth/Kellogg School Financial Trust Index. According to the report, the Financial Trust Index has increased slightly from 21 percent to 22 percent for the period from July to September 2009.